‘Invictus’ hero remembers time Mandela switched Southern Africa

(CNN) — Francois Pienaar try the newest “huge blonde young buck regarding apartheid,” a white Southern African just who was raised thinking regarding magnificence towards the newest rugby field.

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He became a superstar therefore the chief away from South Africa’s national football class — a hobby disliked by many black colored Southern area Africans as the games of the oppressors.

However, toward Summer several, 1994, Nelson Mandela summoned Pienaar so you’re able to his place of work to ask your so you can play a dramatic part.

Although young Mandela are particularly a good “younger, brash Muhammad Ali” within his teens whom annoyed, and spooked white Southern Africans, Carlin produces in his book

Because the Mandela supported Pienaar coffees having milk products, the guy provided the fresh new superstar football player snippets out-of their audacious package. That bundle manage electrify South Africa, expand Pienaar so you can their physical and you can mental restrictions, and you will concrete Mandela’s reputation once the an effective transcendent commander.

“We kept one to basic meeting with the feeling that people was in fact when you look at the a hand inside the Southern Africa,” Pienaar said. “We experienced safe with him.”

What happened immediately after Pienaar’s meeting with Mandela is therefore magical one they appeared to unfold particularly a film. Today, fifteen years afterwards, it is. “Invictus,” a Clint Eastwood-directed film to your Mandela, reveals around the world that it Saturday. Continue reading ‘Invictus’ hero remembers time Mandela switched Southern Africa